Welcome to our Festival blog

We are a small congregation who organised a highly successful 'William Byrd Festival' in May 2011 to celebrate the life and work of the village's Elizabethan composer, William Byrd (c.1540 - 1623). In 2012 we played host to the world-famous choir The Cardinall's Musick under their director Andrew Carwood.

This website contains everything you need to know about William Byrd and his links with Stondon Massey. The church is open for services, of course, and on the second Sunday afternoon in the month during the summer.

Friday, 29 April 2011

Reeve's Vestry

Step into the Vestry at St Peter & St Paul Stondon Massey and you step back to a time when Edward Reeve (1858 – 1936) was rector. It contains a collection of brass rubbings, a map of the village and two items given to him on the occasion of the William Byrd Tercentenary in 1923: a photograph copy of William Byrd’s will and a copy of G Vander Gucht’s engraving of the great composer with his mentor, Thomas Tallis.This short video was made with thanks to the current rector and churchwarden.

Two books on Byrd and Reeve will be launched on Sunday (1 May).

Visitors may view the Vestry on Sunday 8 May*, from 2.30 to 4.30pm, when the church is open for a general look round. Tea will be available too.

Sponsor the William Byrd Festival:

The William Byrd Festival 2011 was held to raise funds to build a new Garden of Remembrance in the churchyard of St Peter & St Paul, Stondon Massey, Essex, England, where the great Elizabethan composer is believed to have been buried. If you were unable to come to the Festival but would like to send a donation, please send your cheque payable to 'Stondon Massey PCC' to the Church Office (address left). Many thanks.